The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1887-08-19

productive capacity; but the results
of the fourth year illustrate sufficient
" how lucrative flower farming. may
become IN favorable locations and un-1
der good management. ,ss,...E
From the observations made Oh this
and many other farms where perfume
hower-growing is the leading branch
of agriculture, it is clear that there are
certain conditions essential to success.
The first is an altitude of from five
hundred to two thousand feet, as flow
ers grown on such high locations are
said to be far more rich in perfume
than similar varieties which bloom in
valleys and lowlands. The next con-
dition is a soil rich in calcareous ele-
ments. Thirdly, the situation should
be sheltered from cold northern winds,
and not subject to the white frosts
which, in spring and autumn, affect
the damp lowlands. In countries like
Southern France, where the rainfall is
always scanty, and often wanting en-
tirely from May to September, irriga-
ton is essential also; but no doubt
there are spots with sufficient hrmidi-
ty where this could be dispensed with
One essential principle in perfume
culture is, that all fancy and ''im-
proved" varieties of flowers are discar
ded. and the natural, simple, old-fash-
ioned kind are exclusively grown. The
roses grown are the common pink ones;
the single wild violet is preferred to
all the larger artificially developed
varieties and not double tuberose is
to be seen on any farm. Only the
white jasmine is used, the yellow and
less fragrant variety being either dis
carded or unknown. The jasmine
plants are set in rows about ten inches
apart, and are closely pruned every
wear. Roses are grown on the lower
terraces. and are likewise cut low. and
the ground between the trees heavily
manured. After the roses have been
gathered the stem is cut to within a
few inches of the ground, so as to con-
serve for the next season the entire
vigor of the plant.
During the harvest season traders,
or middlemen. 90 through the country
every dav with wagons collecting flow
ers from the farms, for which thay pay
prices varying according to the extent
of the crop and the demands of the
market. Their fragrant load is hur-
ried to the nearest manufacturer and
delivered while the flowers are still
fresh and crisp. 1t is necessary that
the flowers should be gathered i'll the
morning as soon as possible after the
dews of the preceding night have dis
appeared. In many cases laboratories
are erected on the flower farm itself,
and if the farm is of sufficient size,
this adds very much to the profits.
Pomades are the commercial vehicle
for absorbing and transporting the per-
fumes of the jonquil, tuberose. jasmine
and il few other species of flowers. A
square frame of white wood, about
twenty by thirty inches is set with a
pane of plate glass. On each side OF
the glass is spread Il thin, even layer
of grease which has been purified and
refined. Thus prepared, the frames
are piled up in ranks six or seven feet
high, to await the season of each spec
ial flower. When the blossoms arrive,
the petals are picked from the stem
the pistils and stamens being discarded
and laid so as to cover the grease in
each frame. These being agaih piled
so rs to rest upon their wooden edges,
which fit closely together, there Is
formed series of tight chambers, the
floors and ceilings of which are OF
grease, exposed to the perfume of the
| tlower-leaves within. The grease alb
serbs the perfume; the spent flowers
are removed daily, and fresh ones sup
| piled; and this process goes on from
| two to four or five months. according
to the desired strength of the pomade
which, when sufficiently charged with
| perfume, is taken from the glass with
a wide thin spatula, and packed in tin
cans for export. By these methods
| the delicate odors Of flowers are eX-
tracted and retained for transport to
distant markets, where, being treated
with alcohol. they yield their perfume
to that stronger vehicle, and produce
the floral waters and extracts of com
merce. Coarser pomades are made by
boiling the flowers in the grease anC
subiecsing the residue to pressure. The
spent pomades are used for toilet,
purposes and in the manufacture o
fine soaps.
The process of preparing pertumct
oils involves the same principle, eNcep
that, instead of solid grease, super6n'
olive oil is used. With this oil, piece;
of coarse cotton fabric are saturated
which are then spread upon wire-net
ting stretched in wooden frames abou
three feet by four feet in size. The
flowers are spread upon the saturate'
cloths, and the frames piled one above
i IL I 4I-.4 IL. .,.,.f az n.